Dobbies appoints new CEO

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the appointment of David Robinson as its new chief executive officer. Robinson joins the business from Pets at Home where he was chief operating officer, playing a key role in the business’ success story over the last four years. He has previously worked at Home Retail Group as chief operating officer, at Argos leading its digital transformation, and as part of the Homebase executive team, responsible for its commercial operations. He replaces Graeme Jenkins who has decided to pursue other opportunities having been with the business for seven years, both as CFO and CEO. He officially started yesterday (24 July) and will be in hand-over with Jenkins over the course of this week. Jenkins said: “After seven transformative years, I am delighted that David has taken over the reins as CEO. I am confident he will take the business through its next stage of growth and I wish him and the team the very best for the future." The board of Dobbies said: “We are pleased to welcome David to Dobbies. With his retail experience and focus on customers and colleagues, he will be a fantastic asset to the business as we continue our growth. “We would like to thank Graeme for his invaluable work, leading the business through its transformation into the UK’s number 1 garden centre operator more than doubling its size, its replatforming and navigating the challenges of the Covid period.” Regarding his appointment, Robinson said: “I am thrilled to be joining Dobbies. The UK is passionate about its green spaces and there has been a boom in how we appreciate and enjoy our gardens in the past few years. I have certainly become a keen gardener myself so I am looking forward to being closely involved with the sector. “Dobbies is a special business that enjoys the fact that customers choose to visit garden centres, generating footfall that many retailers can only dream of in these challenging economic times. I am really excited to work with the team through the next stage of growth for the business.”